telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi TSA-120 vs Unistellar Equinox 2
Takahashi
TSA-120
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Unistellar
Equinox 2
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
+100% focal length
+5% aperture
Slower by 3.6 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi TSA-120 | Unistellar Equinox 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | Refractor | smart-telescope |
| Optical design | Triplet APO | Newtonian all-in-one |
| Aperture | 120mm | 114mm |
| Focal length | 900mm | 450mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/7.5 | f/3.9 |
| Image circle | 44mm | — |
| Full-frame support | Yes | No |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 7.5kg | 9.0kg |
Advantages of Takahashi TSA-120
- Tighter framing — 900mm vs 450mm focal length
- Larger image circle (44mm) — supports bigger sensors
- Lighter (7.5kg vs 9kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Unistellar Equinox 2
- Wider field — 450mm vs 900mm focal length
- Faster optics at f/3.9 vs f/7.5
Best for — Takahashi TSA-120
- Medium-sized galaxies and planetary nebulae
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Unistellar Equinox 2
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
Takahashi TSA-120 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.29° × 1.53°Scale: 0.86"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.50° × 1.00°Scale: 0.86"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 0.72° × 0.72°Scale: 0.86"/px
Unistellar Equinox 2 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 4.58° × 3.06°Scale: 1.72"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.99° × 2.00°Scale: 1.72"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.44° × 1.44°Scale: 1.72"/px
Takahashi TSA-120 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Unistellar Equinox 2 — recommended user
Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a backyard imaging setup.